11/02/2026 5:38 pm
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Hey everyone! I’m planning a big family road trip in my Chrysler Town & Country and realized I need way more storage space for all our gear. My van has the factory Stow 'n Place crossbars, but I’m a little nervous about how much weight they can actually handle, especially since I want to mount a heavy cargo box and maybe a kayak. I’m looking for a system that is sturdy and won't create too much wind noise at highway speeds. Has anyone upgraded to a Thule or Yakima setup, or do you find the OEM bars sufficient for long hauls? Which specific roof rack systems or attachments do you consider 'must-haves' for this van?
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11/02/2026 7:10 pm
Sooo, quick reply while I have a sec. Honestly, I'm pretty cautious about those factory bars. I had issues with mine bowing under a heavy load on my own T&C, and it was reallyyy stressful on the highway... definitely not as good as I expected. If you're doing a kayak and a heavy box, I think you're pushing the safety limit of the OEM setup, you know?
For a budget-friendly but safe upgrade, I highkey recommend the CargoLoc 2-Piece 52-Inch Aluminum Roof Top Cross Bar Set. They're usually under $70 and feel way more secure. Also, for the cargo box, check out the JEGS 90098 Rooftop Cargo Carrier. It's around $210 for 18 cubic feet, which is basically a steal. It’s sturdy and holds plenty, but maybe? just double-check your clearance. I mean, you gotta be careful with the total weight up there. Safety first! Anyway, hope that helps. Good luck!
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11/02/2026 6:10 pm
Just sharing my experience: I’ve been driving my Town & Country for over six years now and I totally get the anxiety about those factory bars. When I first started doing cross-country hauls, I just used the built-in Stow 'n Place setup for a small bag, but once the family grew, I needed a massive box. The technical reality is basically that those OEM bars are made of a composite material that flexes *a lot* under a dynamic load—you know, when you’re doing 75 mph and hit a crosswind.
I was seriously worried about the weight limit cuz I wanted to mount a Thule Motion XT XXL Cargo Box and a heavy kayak. I did a deep dive into the specs and realized the factory rails are solid, but the folding crossbars are the weak link. So, I decided to beef things up for my own peace of mind. I went with the Yakima JetStream Crossbars Black 60 inch and paired them with the Yakima TimberLine Towers 4-Pack.
The difference was highkey insane. Those JetStream bars have an internal "JetTruss" structure that basically eliminates the bowing I saw with the OEM ones. Plus, the T-track system made it sooo much easier to slide on my Thule Hull-a-Port XT Kayak Rack alongside the cargo box. Honestly, I'm super satisfied with how it turned out. It’s way quieter too because of the aero shape. It was a bit of an investment, but for my long hauls, it worked out great... anyway, just thought I'd share that journey!!
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11/02/2026 6:20 pm
yo, so basically those factory bars are okay for light stuff, but I totally feel u on the anxiety when loading up for a long trip. honestly, you dont need to spend a fortune to get something solid and quiet. For your situation, I would suggest looking at the Malone AirFlow2 Universal Roof Rack Aluminum Cross Rail System 50 inch. i've been using them and they're *so* much quieter than the stock bars because of the aero shape. plus, they're way cheaper than high-end Yakima setups, usually under $200.
For the cargo box, skip the $800 options and check out the SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box 18 Cubic Feet. i got mine for around $400 and it fits the T&C perfectly without too much drag. if you're worried about the kayak, some Malone J-Pro 2 Kayak Carriers are super sturdy and wont break the bank. total game changer for the highway noise... gl!